Am I crazy? Very busy family getting a miniature schnauzer?

Question

My 15 yr old daoughter and 9 yr old son had a shitzu years ago and I wound up giving him away because we were never home. I NEVER heard the end of it form the kids. now 4 yrs later we are in our own home with a big yard and I ran across and add for a miniature schnauzer already housebroken(11 mo old) I told myself I would never own an inside dog again because I was the one to take care of it. But, the kids are older now and promise tey will do all the work.We are very busy with school, sports activities(this is why the other fam. is getting rid of him) So, I am hoping I havent made a big mistake.
Oh yeah what really worries me is that I have a real pistol pete 3-1/2 yr old that may worry the mess out of the dog which in return will stress me-but, he loves dogs and it may be good for him to have a companion like this loving schnauzer- I go get the dog this weekend so I still have time to change my mind- My husband thinks I am crazy and adding more stress. Truthfuly I'm kinda excited

Answer 1

You have to be certain you want this dog and also that you aren't landiing yourself with the same problems that made you rehome your first dog. If you are busy all the time, and no one is in the house for the majority of the day say a minimum of 5 hours, then forget it. Dogs (especially one so young) will need lots of attention and playing and general training. It can't do these things by itself YOU have to help him, and you can't do that if you're not home. This I am not saying to put you off, but to make you think about ALL the aspects of what you are about to take on. And it certainly isn't right for the children, even if they are older now, to take full responsibility for this dog. Kids love dogs... for about a week. Then the novelty wears off, the stop brushing them, stop playing with them. I see this day in day out, dogs coming in matted to the skin, and the mum or dad will say, 'Well, my daughter is supposed to brush her but...' The whole family has to participate in the care of this dog. Also if your little one is hyper there is a chance he could be bad to your dog. Kids that young don't understand that animals have feelings just like us and that it HURTS when you pull their ears and tails. If your child hurts the dog, it may turn aggressive and it will be the dogs fault, with your child getting away with murder. You don't want to put your dog in this situation, where it is being tortured but having to suffer in silence. I have seen this before and it isn't pretty, the dog gets the entire blame while the child is allowed to run amock like a cruel wee monster, and it makes me so damn angry. Not at the dog, but at the child. So this will have to be on your list of things to consider.

Schnauzers need regular visits to the groomer aswell, around every 8-10 weeks. You have to remember they don't shed and will just keep growing, and they need throroughly groomed every day to stop their legs and skirts becoming matted. A good idea is to keep playing with your puppy's feet this will aqcuaint him with the sensation of his feet being picked up and his legs getting brushed etc. A lot of the schnauzers I groom do NOT like it lol to say the least, so this is a good way of making your groomer's life a little easier.

I would just like you to approach with caution, as they say, and please be certain that the same thing won't happen to this little dog that happened to your last one. He will need a permanent home and a loving home, not to be shipped around from household to household for the rest of his life. Think carefully about all the pros and cons and how much time you will have to spend with him. Puppies especially need to be let out to do their business more often as they haven't quite mastered going for 5 hours without a toilet break. If you think you are going to have the same problems again, please don't do it, let someone else give him a home where he will get the attention and care he needs.

Good Luck whatever your decision.

Answer 2

This doesn't sound like a good idea at all. If you thought the other dog was disposable you might do the same with this one. Plus you have a 3 and 1/2 year old human child? Yeah you so don't have time for this dog. I'll tell you right now eventhough you have the 19 yo , that one or the other kid are NOT going to help you. You are going to end up taking care of this dog again. If you are excited about getting a dog wait until your kids leave the house and you and your husband have empty nest syndrome. Any dog would love to be in that family - but a dog now is just going to be lonely all the time :(

Answer 3

If you think your kids will take care of the dog you are kidding yourself. No matter what they say no resonable parent should get a dog on that premise, b/c it just wont happen. I would say dont get the dog b/c unless YOU change your ways it will play out the exact same way as it did before with the shitzu. Now that being said you can change your ways. Take the dog with you places. I relaize this isnt always practical but alot of sports are outside, etc. If you getting a dog based on your kids make them take part in raising it, while still realizing you are ultimately responsible. There are ways to raise a happy dog when your busy, but it sounds like you're gonna have to change and if youre not ready to do that. Spare the dog.

Answer 4

It depends on what happend with the 3 1/2 year old and the dog.
I would not place a dog with one so young who was a handful.
The kids will not take any better care of this dog than the last one. This is your job to take care fo the dog. They are kids and not responsible.
If you have a very hetic schedule it may not be the best time to get one.
Make sure this dog is ok with kids and do not leave the 3 year old alone with the dog ever.
Good luck.

Answer 5

No way, as long as you pay the dog alot of attention when you are home it'll be fine. I have 8 animals and my family are always busy with school, work and the like but they're all fine, the dog is great.
Your really lucky that your getting one thats house broken, you dont have to deal with all the pee n poop around the house, point this out to your husband.
A dog will be a great companion for your child i'm pretty sure the dog will get used to him quite quickly if the dogs only 11 months old.
Good luck!

Answer 6

Although you said you're "kind excited", overall, your choice of words leads me to think that you don't really want the dog. It also sounds like there's a good chance that you'll be the number one caretaker for it. That being said, before you go to pick it up, make sure it's what YOU really want. Don't get the dog out of the excitement of something new only to make it an orphan again in the future.

If you do decide to get it, follow Jessica M's advice about taking the dog with you to all sporting events (where pets are allowed) and anywhere else pets are welcome. It will help to socialize the dog as well as form a bond between it and you.

Good luck!

Answer 7

I think the choice of dog is not a good one for a small child, because Schnauzers aren't very tolerant of children pulling their tails or shoving things in their faces.

I don't know, I think it's a new experience for your older kids for a while and they'll probably get tired of it and you'll wind up caring for the dog again.

I would say it's like people adoption. If you're not planning to keep this dog until it dies, or any other dog for that matter, don't adopt it. Dogs get attached to their human families.

Answer 8

I don't think anyone that is not prepared to keep a pet for the long run should even consider getting one. It is a COMMITMENT and very unfair to the dog to bounce them around. How would you feel if I asked you to consider giving up one of your children instead of the dog if there is a conflict? Maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration, but if you are already having second thoughts I would really advise against it.

Answer 9

Just make sure everyone is ready for it. Make sure your kids understand about everything they have to do. I also think that your young son would greatly benefit from a dog, company and a sense of dependablility will be good for all your children. Plus, it's already house-trained!!!! Just remember supervision! Good Luck and Congrats on the new addition!

Answer 10

If your life is that busy...why would you want any animal? As you know dogs require a lot of work and you will be the one that ends up taking care of it. Also dogs need attention. If you are never at home they cannot get attention.
It seems like you are justing adding stress to yourself.